Ayo Fasoro

 

The Bishop, the lay faithful, and the entire people of God of Osogbo Diocese receive Catholic Bishops from all over Nigeria in a Welcome Mass going about this time inside St. Benedict Cathedral, seat of the Diocese. The Bishops are in town for the Second Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria CBCN.

Osogbo is poised to see as many miters and scull caps as never before. But Osogbo is not new to the presence of the Church, nor to important activities drawing Church dignitaries. Osogbo has witnessed three episcopal ordinations; those of a Cardinal, an Archbishop, and her current Bishop.

A Bishop of old Oyo Diocese with his seat in Osogbo, ordained as priests, four of the Bishops expected at the meeting. A fifth has gone to his reward. Six Bishops ordained as priests of old Oyo with its seat in Osogbo have been raised to the episcopate. They are Bishops Adelakun, Abegunrin, Badejo, Oyejola, Olawoore, and Adesina.

Time permitting, the Bishops will see Osun grove, shrine of the deity from whom a religion, a river, and a state, derive their names. Ataoja the traditional ruler, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Laaroye II may not be totally out of sight. He is the second successive Muslim ruler of Osogbo, his immediate predecessor was the accountant Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi who reigned for 34 years. They follow the reigns of the two Samuels; Oba Samuel Latona (1933 - 1943) and Oba Samuel Adenle (1944 - !976). Osogbo is a town rich in culture and in history.

It is unlikely that the Bishops will leave town without seeing perhaps the most visible-online of all 36 state governors; the inimitable Senator Asiwaju Jackson Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke, possessor of the best and busiest dancing shoes of all governors. He also dons traditional caps, so tall and so pointed, they may be mistaken for miters. Bishops know better.  Recently rewarded by voters, not for his artistic footwork, but for his payment of staff salaries, Adeleke is the third successive Muslim governor of Osun state.

Created thirty five years ago during the era of the men of the guns, the military sent three Catholics, Ajiborisa, Udofia and Obi, and a Theophilus to govern the state. Voters have sent six men to government house, only one of whom is a Christian. The two Adelekes, Akande, Aregbesola, and Oyetola, render Oyinlola as the only elected non-Muslim. Maybe the presence of our Bishops in Osogbo will inspire the Holy Spirit to send Osun, a Catholic Governor. It is about time that another Catholic comes to town to govern.

Visiting Bishops will observe the devotion and sacrifice of the faithful of Osogbo Diocese. They will also see firsthand, the giant leaps in infrastructural and spiritual development since the appointment of Bishop John Oyejola ten years ago. This piece is inadequate to enumerate the good works of Bishop Oyejola in the physical and spiritual growth of Osogbo. They will see for themselves, the Cathedral, the Chancery, the Pastoral Centre, the various parishes they will visit. Bishop Oyejola has woken up the willing faithful of Osogbo.

Lacking in industrial or corporate infrastructural presence, Osogbo leverages on its greatest asset: the people led by a can-do Bishop, a dedicated clergy, and a ready-to-sacrifice faithful. Where financial opportunities are absent, men and women have risen up to lift up the diocese: persons such as Professors Olu Aina and Richard Olaniyan, Drs. Olu Alabi and Segun Aina, Wale Idowu, Nicholas Dosunmu, Paul Oyebiyi, and Modupe Oyesiji, Prince Awogboro, Col. Paul Odediran (rtd) and Col. (Sir) Akanji, Senator Christopher Omisore, and Senator Jide Omoworare, Sir. Supo Adigun, Sir Akinwuntan and Sir Kolawole, Foluso Adedigba, Andrew and Antonia Adelakun and Pa Paul Famoyin.

Whatever the Bishops see in Osogbo, these and many more, are the people who make things posssible. With the help of God, the leadership of Bishop Oyejola, the dedication of the clergy and the religious, together with the sacrifices of lay persons, Osogbo continues a rise that has only just started.

When they leave at the end of the week, CBCN Bishops will depart with fond memories of the Church of Osogbo; her reaches and her challenges. They are enjoined to keep Osogbo in their thoughts and in their prayers.

 

 

 

Ayo Fasoro

Non Sum Dignus